Fla. Woman Claims She Was Sprayed by Jet Fuel Near Tampa Airport

March 23, 2005
A woman who lives four miles south of Tampa International Airport claimed she was sprayed by fuel dumped from a jet flying low over her neighborhood. The accusation was denied by both airport and federal officials.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A woman who lives four miles south of Tampa International Airport claimed she was sprayed by fuel dumped from a jet flying low over her neighborhood. The accusation was denied by both airport and federal officials.

Vicki Morris, 51, a real estate agent, said she was on her daily walk Monday night when the alleged incident occurred. She said she heard a whooshing sound, consistent with a plane flying overhead, and then felt a mist accompanied by a strong fuel odor.

''It was like someone had poured kerosene to start a fire,'' said Morris, who said she had difficulty breathing and experienced tingling of her skin and scalp after the incident.

Airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said there was no emergency that would have forced a jet to dump its fuel Monday night, and Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen concurred.

''There was no emergency declared and no authorized dumping of fuel'' in the area of Morris' claim, Bergen said.

Morris said she went through three bottles of air freshener while battling the scent, which was still slightly detectable in her neighborhood early Tuesday.

Jet fuel is a known carcinogen that causes irritation to eyes, nausea, headaches and lightheadedness.